New Study Shatters Stereotypes About Teens and Video Games | HASTAC

[jason]

New Study Shatters Stereotypes About Teens and Video Games | HASTAC

(Washington, DC) — The first national survey of its kind finds that virtually all American teens play computer, console, or cell phone games and that the gaming experience is rich and varied, with a significant amount of social interaction and potential for civic engagement. The survey was conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, a project of the Pew Research Center, and was supported by the MacArthur Foundation.

The primary findings in the survey of 1,102 youth ages 12-17 include:
Game playing is universal, with almost all teens playing games and at least half playing games on a given day.

97% of American teens ages 12-17 play some kind of video game.
99% of boys say they are gamers and 94% of girls report that they play games.

Game playing experiences are diverse, with the most popular games falling into the racing, puzzle, sports, action and adventure categories.

A typical teen plays at least five different categories of games and 40% of them play eight or more different game types. While some teens play violent video games, those who play violent games generally also play non-violent games. Game playing is social, with most teens playing games with others at least some of the time.

76% of gaming teens play games with others at least some of the time.
82% play games alone at least occasionally, though 71% of this group also plays games with others.
65% of gaming teens play with others in the same room.

This is more of what I blogged last week. It is muchly interesting…

Comments

Chatters?

[francisb.livejournal.com]

This more confirms than shatters my observations about teens/young adults and video games. The amount of time spent on this stuff is truly scary. Notice the careful wording: "potential for social interaction." Important word "potential." This tells us nothing about the true amount of social interaction and less than nothing regarding its qualities. I do not see video games as the down fall of modern youth, but the trends suggested by this study are not encouraging for the future.

Re: Chatters?

[complicittheory.livejournal.com]

Good points. I don't like any games, in general. Though I understand that they're things people like. But I like social action, and if games lead to them, I'm cool.